§ Mr. Alan CampbellTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the estimated loss to the Treasury through smuggled tobacco and alcohol into the United Kingdom in each year since 1997. [96774]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonHM Customs and Excise assess the total amount of revenue (excise duty and VAT) losses through all forms of tobacco smuggling in 1998 at about £1.7 billion. There is no comparable assessment for total revenue losses through all forms of alcohol smuggling.
The revenue lost through cross-Channel smuggling of alcohol and tobacco in 1998 is estimated at £220 million and £1 billion respectively. Comparable figures for 1997 are £180 million for alcohol and £790 million for tobacco.